KEN PIESSE SAYS: Those in control of Australian cricket can blame only themselves for the loss of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, even before Friday’s Sydney Test.
They were stood over and bullied by their Indian counterparts.
Downgrading Brisbane to also-ran status — and a coming Test with lowly Sri Lanka — was a huge mistake.
The Gabba has been an unbeatable Citadel for Australian teams since the late ‘80s. This summer’s first Test should have again been scheduled there.
Instead Adelaide was given opening venue status and instead of playing at night in front of sellout crowds, Jolimont reluctantly agreed to India’s insistence to play only at day.
The resultant poor crowds were not an aberration. Adelaide and beyond were voting firmly with their feet. They want to see Test cricket at night.
The Brisbane fiasco highlighted that Australia’s woes on the field were also being keenly felt off it.
The now-defrocked Peever-Sutherland administration put money ahead of results.
Surely if your Test team is unbeaten at a prime venue like the Gabba you would continue to schedule the all-important first Test there.
Cricket’s bean-counters have too much power; a little like the sports scientists who swear by bowling workloads.
The international season opened in November to little fanfare as the opening white-ball matches were scheduled away from free to air television.
Cricket is talking up their latest slogan how the game belongs to us, the people, yet they sell their souls for a few extra dollars, denying most of us the opportunity to watch.
It makes no sense… no sense at all. No wonder the Test team is in disarray… KP (president Australian Cricket Society)